How to Answer Why Did You Leave?

We've all faced the dreaded "Why did you leave your last job?" question in interviews. But is it fair to probe into experiences that may be rooted in trauma, toxicity, or situations beyond our control? Shouldn't this be a two-way street?

Imagine if employers disclosed that people left because of a toxic boss, micromanagement, unfair performance improvement plan (PIP) aggressive sales targets, or an unhealthy environment. Yet, job seekers are often expected to navigate these loaded questions with grace. Should employers stop asking Why did you leave in Job Interviews?

What Can You Do as a Candidate?

If this question comes up, focus on diplomatic, professional answers. Here’s how:

1. Emphasize Lessons Learned: Instead of diving into the negatives, highlight what you gained from the experience. For example, "I learned the importance of aligning personal values with company culture."
2. Turn Challenges into Wins: When asked, "Give me a time when you received feedback from your boss and disagreed," frame your response around constructive solutions and growth.
3. Stay Positive: Keep the conversation forward-focused, emphasizing your enthusiasm for the role you're interviewing for.
4. Could you address the Job hopping, contract roles, layoffs, termination etc strategically?

Why Did You Leave Your Last Job?—Diplomatic Scripts

Here are some diplomatic, concise responses to keep the conversation positive:

1. Professional Growth "I left to pursue growth opportunities, which are central to this role."
2. Work-Life Balance "I sought better work-life balance, something this role offers."
3. Value Alignment "The company's values no longer align with mine, but I see a strong fit here."
4. Advancement Opportunities "I left due to limited advancement, which this role provides."
5. Skill Set Growth "I wanted to grow a specific skill set, which is a focus in this role."

?See More Scripts HERE

Get My Interview Prep Guide

If you're preparing for interviews and want to nail tough questions with confidence, check out my comprehensive interview prep guide. One key focus? Turning lessons learned into powerful examples that showcase your resilience and growth.

-> Become crystal clear with answers to reframe even if they are stuck with uncomfortable questions

-> Master the interview process by showcasing themselves as unique, one-of-a-kind candidates?if they were ever in a difficult situation

TIY Interview Vault | Teachndo

P.S. Don’t miss out on my Career Newsletter | Teachndo, going out every month on the 15th and the end of the month. It’s packed with practical scripts and insights for senior professionals. You won’t want to miss the next one with an interview strategy piece on answering disagreements and conflicts!

Plus, you’ll receive a LinkedIn audit checklist bonus right away with a video guide—don’t miss that!

Sweta Regmi is the Founder and CEO of Teachndo. With over a decade of experience empowering career professionals, Sweta is globally recognized as a leading career and personal branding strategist.

Sweta's expertise has been featured in prominent media outlets including CBC National News, Global National News, CNBC, FOX 26, CTV, Wall Street Journal, HuffPost, and more.

In addition to her media presence, Sweta has partnered with leading brands and organizations to elevate career strategies and establish non-profit employment services partnerships. Her consecutive nominations for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards by Women of Influence from 2022 to 2024 highlight her success and recognition as a career expert in Canada.

Sweta is also the Amazon Best Selling author of "21 Resilient Women: Stories of Courage, Growth, and Transformation," a book that has garnered recognition from libraries, ministers, and MPs in Canada. Contact for B2B collaboration/workshop.

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